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Nappy Roots brings hit songs, craft brews to Steamboat

Nappy Roots will play at Schmiggity’s on Thursday. (Courtesy photo)

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — The Grammy-nominated group Nappy Roots is coming to town and bringing with them more than just music as part of their Great American Beer Run tour.

The band, best known for its hit singles “Good Day,” “Po Folks” and “Awnaw,” will arrive in Steamboat Springs on Thursday, Jan. 17 for an 8 p.m. all-ages show and a 10:30 p.m. 21-and-older show at Schmiggity’s.

After more than 20 years in the public eye, Nappy Roots is expanding beyond music into projects that include craft beer and television production with “40Akerz & a Brew.” To date, the group has mass-produced three craft beers, with two more in production.

Earlier this week, Explore Steamboat caught up with Skinny DeVille, an original member of Nappy Roots, to chat about the group’s music and new brews.

Explore Steamboat: How did the craft brewing come into the picture? Did you guys always have a passion for this industry?

Skinny DeVille: Our love for beer started in college. We were drinking beer before Nappy Roots hit the scene. Over the last few years of us traveling, we have noticed more and more breweries popping up. When we hit a town, we find a local beer that is outstanding. We get beers from these breweries when we tour and then we give them to the fans, so that they become aware of the local breweries in their area.

ES: Which brewery did you guys start creating the brews at?

SD: We started making beer at our home brewery — Atlantucky. We still conceptualize and experiment at our home brew. But when it comes to mass production, we bring our ideas and team up with bigger breweries.

ES: Why did you choose Monday Night Brewing to introduce the two new craft brews?

SD: Monday Night Brewing in Atlanta chose us. They allowed us to make a beer with them and gave us the opportunity to share our vision with beer fans and Nappy Roots fans. In April of 2017, we launched our first partnership and have since introduced another beer with them. We have also partnered with Against the Grain Brewery in Louisville.

ES: How did you guys develop those recipes?

SD: Research and a lot of taste testing. We experiment with stouts, golden ales, pale ales and whatever else we can think of. So far, we have made more than 15 different beers at Atlantucky. Some are better than others, but we keep learning and getting better. In fact, we’ll be releasing a couple more beers later this spring.

ES: What can the Steamboat Springs audience expect for the show next week?

SD: The show is going to be bananas. We always have a good time. We call it Nappy Hour. The show includes the classic hip-hop that Nappy Roots is known for, the underground hip-hop that people look out for and the hits that gave us the worldwide notoriety that we have today. There is something for everyone, for the ladies, something for the men, the smokers and the drinkers. If you are there to have a good time and let your inhabitations fly and leave your stress at the front door, you will have the best hour or two of your life.

Tickets to see Nappy Roots are $15 and can be purchased online or at Schmiggity’s, 821 Lincoln Ave.

To reach Audrey Dwyer, call 970-871-4229, email adwyer@SteamboatPilot.com or follow her on Twitter @Audrey_Dwyer1.


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